Q&A: UMI Turns ‘people stories’ Into a Limitless Healing Journey
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY SHEVON GREENE ☆
Photo by Joseph Collier
BUILT FROM THE VOICES OF FANS AND LOVED ONES — UMI’s new album people stories transforms shared experiences into a tapestry of healing, vulnerability, and joy. Out today, it marks a major shift in her musical journey as her Epic Records debut and is her most personal and expansive project yet. The record blurs soul, folk, R&B, and pop, and her voice is the through-line of it all.
people stories was built from fan-submitted experiences via Discord, livestreams, and more, transforming personal narratives into songs for listeners across the globe to connect with. UMI made it a point to lean into imperfection, incorporating ambient sounds and raw details to reflect both vulnerability and healing. Her openness to color, world-building, and the playful contradictions of her mixed heritage and artistic freedom make this album stand out as one that questions the norms of songwriting.
With excitement radiating from UMI about a new chapter with a new major label, immersive rollouts that include the return of her U+MI fan experiences, and readiness to bring more unhinged energy to the stage, listeners should expect full-on spontaneity in this era.
We chatted with UMI about the stories that shaped the record, the beauty of imperfection, and what this new era means to her. Keep reading for the full conversation.
Photo by Eric Nguyen
LUNA: I’m so excited for people stories to be out. The album was inspired by stories from fans and loved ones, collected through Discord, live streams, and other channels over the years. Can you share a moment when one of those stories completely changed your perspective on the album’s direction?
UMI: That’s a good question. I’d say the song “THE LIMIT.” Up until then, everything I was making was very folk-like, since the album is “story time” to me—like a folk tale. I wanted to honor that by making a folk fusion album. Then I made “THE LIMIT,” inspired by a breakup story. They had been together for five years, broke up, but the love still existed. We were talking about how love is limitless and shapeless, and I thought, this song needs energy, it needs synths. I realized I had to break my own rule. The album had to be genreless. “THE LIMIT” ended up an ’80s synth-pop, pop-star type of record, which was what the message needed. That song changed the trajectory of the album.
LUNA: And it’s funny because the song is called “THE LIMIT,” but it made the album feel limitless.
UMI: Limitless, yes [laughs].
LUNA: You intentionally included ambient sounds—air conditioners, creaking doors—in the final tracks. What does embracing imperfection add to the themes of vulnerability and healing in your music?
UMI: Life is deep and complicated. A lot of times we shy away from that, but this album taught me life is beautiful not because it’s perfect, but because it includes everything. Just because your room is messy doesn’t make it less your room—it’s still your safe space. Same with life and emotions. To reflect that truth, I had to keep imperfections. When I tried recording in the studio, I felt suffocated by perfection. Life is full of imperfection, and when we embrace it, we can enjoy life instead of waiting for it to be perfect.
LUNA: I love that. It brings the album to life.
UMI: Yeah, I see music in all genres moving that way—less polished, more real. It’s exciting.
LUNA: I loved the “SOMEWHERE NEW” video—the visuals of freedom: motorcycle rides, beach scenes, dancing children. How did you decide on those elements, and what story were you trying to tell?
UMI: “SOMEWHERE NEW” was written about someone whose family didn’t accept their queer identity. They moved across the country to find their own home and chosen family. It’s about the bittersweetness of choosing happiness somewhere unfamiliar, and not being able to explain it to people back home. The video reflects that—joyful and playful, but with depth and grittiness. The motorcycle embodies freedom, but my expression shows I’m still searching. That feels like your 20s: you’re free but still asking, What am I doing?
LUNA: You’ve mentioned the album taught you that your worth isn’t in perfection. How has that shaped how you present your art now?
UMI: It’s in the little details. Before, I wore flowy clothes and neat makeup. Now I smudge mascara, make my hair big and messy, keep the pimple, don’t try to be polished. I’ve realized I still deserve love, and people still connect with me. It’s empowering. I’m learning not to let perfection be the standard—just, does it feel right? Then it’s done, even if it’s technically “wrong.”
LUNA: You’ve talked about turning people’s stories into songs being healing, pulling you out of yourself. What does that process feel like, from receiving a story to turning it into a song?
UMI: I’ll go to my home studio with V-Ron [Veronica Vera], who executive produced the album. Shout-out to female producers, by the way! If I’m happy, I’ll ask fans on Discord for a happy story—like a psychedelic trip or falling in love. They send stories quickly, I’ll read them with V-Ron, and as she plays sounds, I jot down words—little details like “breakfast in bed.” Then I’ll freestyle melodies and words. Almost every song started as a freestyle, with the concept refined after. Most were written in one to two hours, then finished later.
LUNA: With your mixed heritage and musical upbringing, how does culture and family influence your sound and storytelling?
UMI: Growing up mixed, you inherently accept contrasts—things that shouldn’t go together but do. It makes you more open to trying new things. Once I accepted myself, I felt free to make R&B, folk, alternative, add Japanese, dance, contradict myself. It also gives me empathy—I grew up knowing so many norms, so it’s easier to connect with people’s stories.
LUNA: You’ve said music for you is deeply visual and intuitive, tied to world-building. For people stories, what visuals came to mind as you wrote?
UMI: This album was very color-based. I’d wake up feeling “blue,” so I’d make a blue song. I’d ask V-Ron for blue chords and find blue words. The album is made up of colors—blue, red, purple, orange, brown.
LUNA: I have to ask: if “RAIN,” “FAMILIAR FRIEND,” or “SAFE ROOM” were colors, what would they be?
UMI: All blue, actually [laughs]. Different shades of blue. Sometimes “SAFE ROOM” feels orange-yellow, but mostly blue.
LUNA: This album marks your Epic Records debut and is described as your most personal and expansive. How does stepping into this new chapter feel, and how did working with a major label shape the scope?
UMI: I finished most of the album before signing, so it was nice to hand over rollout and promotion to the label. I’ve been independent, at other labels—I feel like I’ve done every option. Epic feels like my people—they support me, value my perspective. It’s like co-parenting [laughs]. It’s been healing and empowering, and I know that’s rare.
Photo by Kevin Sinclair
LUNA: You’ve emphasized play, intuition, authenticity, rejecting molds, and writing with your inner child in mind. How do those values continue to guide you?
UMI: They’re me. Every day I feel like a different person, and the album reflects that expansiveness. I’m playful—almost every song started with, “What’s something people wouldn’t do?” That excites me. On “IT’S BEEN A WHILE,” I told V-Ron, “Do everything you’re not supposed to in music, and I’ll freestyle on it.” That joy is what keeps me going.
LUNA: You’ve used guided meditations, full moon YouTube series, and community-building in your creative ecosystem. Will you carry those rituals into the album rollout?
UMI: Yes! I have this series called U+MI—a play on my name—launched on the last tour. They’re interactive fan experiences: meet me, meditate with me, party with me. With this album, I’ll keep those and expand with immersive pop-ups where you embody people stories. Even the tour—VIP to the show itself—will make fans feel part of it.
LUNA: Looking back on this album, what moment was the most unexpectedly vulnerable for you?
UMI: Recording “SAFE ROOM.” I probably recorded it six times in different keys. It always seemed to fall on bad days, and I needed to channel pure love when singing. I’d cry or get frustrated when it wasn’t right. I had to do a lot of inner work to accept myself before I could record it truthfully. It was a journey, but I’m glad I did—it’s a beautiful song.
LUNA: I love how it turned out. Since you mentioned tour—what are you most excited about?
UMI: Freedom. In past shows, I was myself but held back a little for protection. With this album, I’m ready to rip it all off. If I want to cartwheel on stage, I will. If I want to cry or scream, I will. The next tour will have rock-influenced energy—free-spirited, unhinged. I’m excited to be that.
Photo by Joseph Collier
